Borussia Dortmund defender Niklas Sule will retire from professional football this summer at the age of 30, despite avoiding a third cruciate ligament tear. The Germany international sustained a knee injury in a recent Bundesliga match against Hoffenheim, an incident that prompted him to decide his career was over, citing an unwillingness to risk further serious injury. Sule, who previously played for Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim, was out of contract on June 30 and will end his playing career after the season's final game. His distinguished career includes five Bundesliga titles, a Champions League win in 2020 with Bayern, and 49 caps for Germany, with appearances in two World Cups and a Confederations Cup victory in 2017.